Rose McGowan Believes ‘Better Films Would Be Made’ If More People Loved Films And Art


Actress Rose McGowan has been receiving quite a bit of acclaim for her directorial debut, Dawn. According to The Hollywood Reporter, McGowan’s film took many by “surprise” at this year’s Sundance Film Festival.

McGowan, best known for her work in Grindhouse, The Black Dahlia, and TV’s Charmed mentioned that a variety of things served as “inspirations” for her film.

“My three inspirations for ‘Dawn’ were the look of the original ‘Parent Trap,’ the tension of ‘Night of the Hunter,’ and the loneliness of an Edward Hopper painting,” she said.

Rose McGowan admits that she loves art and film, and feels that people with the passion for both subjects can turn out some great work.

“I am a big film and art buff; I think better films would be made if more people were,” McGowan mentioned.

McGowan’s directorial debut takes place in what is described as “Kennedy-era America.” It follows a sheltered teen named Dawn (Tara Barr), who believes a charming gas station attendant (Reiley McLendon) can set her free from her restricted lifestyle after he innocently flirts with her.

But The Hollywood Reporter’s Chris O’Falt says that the Rose McGowan-directed short is “not your typical story of sexual awakening.” The best way O’Falt said he could describe it was that it’s like “Douglas Sirk meets David Lynch.”

In order for Dawn to receive an Oscar nomination, it would have to play for three consecutive days in Los Angeles at a public venue that requires paid admission. But instead of selecting a random theater or other place, Rose McGowan has decided to create a week-long ‘Dawn’ Festival,” which takes place at the Downtown Independent beginning September 19.

Dawn will play in addition to the seven feature films McGowan has chosen for the festival. Some of the titles that will play include Ridley Scott’s Thelma & Louise, Jonathan Demme’s The Silence of the Lambs, and John Hughes’ Sixteen Candles.

According to Gia OnThe Move, Rose McGowan said she picked these titles since the directors behind them gave “their lead women a strong voice.”

“These stories could have been told with men in the title characters, but these directors showed us what happens when you break stereotypes,” McGowan said. “They have inspired me as a woman, as a director and as a person.”

This is just the starting point for Rose McGowan, who noted that she has “three features in the works right now,” and two of them are “in rewrites.”

“One is a bigger film, one smaller,” McGowan added. “After conservatively estimating my time on sets at over 17,000 hours, I’m more than ready.”

[Image credit: Jim Ruymen via UPI]

Share this article: Rose McGowan Believes ‘Better Films Would Be Made’ If More People Loved Films And Art
More from Inquisitr